The Ontario government says hospital patients awaiting spots in long-term care will have to pay $400 per day if they refuse to move to nursing homes not of their choosing.

Health Minister Sylvia Jones and Long-Term Care Minister Paul Calandra say the charge will take effect in November.

Patients in southern Ontario can be moved up to 70 kilometres away, while those in northern Ontario may be moved up to 150 kilometres away, starting Sept. 21.

The ministers say the policy will only impact patients who are awaiting discharge from a hospital.

They say couples will not be separated and that religious, ethnic and language preferences will be respected.

The regulations announced Wednesday are part of an effort to free up hospital beds as the health-care system deals with temporary emergency room closures and a backlog for surgeries.

The rules stem from legislation that sparked outrage from seniors and advocates and was pushed through without public hearings.

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